Analysts Predict PlayStation 5 And Xbox Series X Launch Prices

One of the hotly speculated topics in 2019 centers on the upcoming next-generation gaming consoles, Microsoft's Xbox Series X and Sony's PlayStation 5. A few days ago, a new report surfaced, telling that both PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X will retail at $400, the same price point PlayStation 4 has at launch. While this is unlikely to happen, several analysts are no betting that the consoles would retail between $500 and $600 price range.

IHS Markit Technology's Piers Harding-Rolls in a recent interview with Games Industry shares some of his insights about PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. "I also expect pricing of both PS5 and Xbox Series X to be similar, and I think it's more likely than not they will be higher than the PS4 launch price point of $399," shares IHS Markit Technology's Piers Harding-Rolls, while speaking about the upcoming next-generation gaming consoles. While the analyst does not share his final price predictions, he underlines that should the two console makers release their upcoming gaming consoles at a higher price point, and it may trigger Microsoft to push its dual-pronged strategy of releasing two consoles, a cheaper priced one and a premium-priced one.

"A high price point may prompt Microsoft to follow through with a dual-pronged product strategy and release a less powerful, cheaper version of its next-gen platform during the launch window. I don't expect Sony to follow this product strategy at launch, so this approach would give Xbox more go-to-market flexibility, although it would also add complexity around marketing and consumer education. Personally, I would wait to bring a cheaper version to market," according to the analyst.

Meanwhile, Serkan Toto of Kantan Games' predicts that the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X will be very the same in terms of features, specs, and pricing. "Both consoles will be a lot more similar to each other in terms of specs, pricing, and features when compared to the last generation," said Toto. "Microsoft will likely avoid shenanigans like higher price (I expect $499 price tags for both), weaker specs, restrictions to used disc sales etc."

It is worth noting that these are mere predictions and not official statements from Sony or Microsoft. However, it appears that most analysts agree that both PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X will not retail at $400 at launch. Among the predicted prices of the next generation, gaming consoles include $450, $500, and $600.

A new video on the YouTube channel of a popular gamer and DJ HipHopGamer reveals that Sony is working on a new ‘remastering engine’ that would allow the next generation gaming console PlayStation 5 to run older PlayStation games. Video games from PlayStation 1, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, and Playstation 4 will be enjoyed by PlayStation 5 owners, according to the video on HipHopGamer’s YouTube channel. While the claim is unofficial, it is great news for PlayStation fans since Sony has not really introduced backwards compatibility feature in its current generation gaming consoles.

It could also allow the PlayStation 5 to gain an advantage over Microsoft’s Xbox Series X, which will reportedly feature backwards compatibility. Microsoft’s gaming consoles have been featuring backwards compatibility over the years. And, it is about time that the Japanese console maker Sony would do the same.